The past few months have been a worrying time, not just for the fitness industry but also for the entire global community. We’re not the only trade left wondering what will happen after the coronavirus outbreak is over, when we’ll go back to normal again - or when will social distancing finally come to an end.
However, many fitness professionals are now in a unique position. Almost overnight, the 100 billion dollar fitness industry has gone virtual, adapting to the current circumstances and taking their businesses online. This article will outline the ways that this move will change the entire industry completely - even when things have gone back to normal again and the pandemic has ended.
What Do You Do When Your Gym Is Open Again?
We are still uncertain what the guidelines will be for gyms and studios upon reopening. However, a new focus on hygiene is bound to be more important than ever while as a society we continue to fight the virus. Social distancing measures may also still be in place and this could continue to impact on the way you operate your business.
First and foremost, look at the ways your business has changed over the past few weeks. Have you embraced virtual training ? If you’re like most other fitness professionals, the answer is probably yes. People from all walks of life are embracing the newfound freedom offered by a personal trainer in your pocket - it’s important to stay attuned to this when it comes to life after quarantine.
Consider planning how you might embrace small group workouts instead of the larger fitness classes you may be used to.Small group workouts not only minimise the risk of spreading disease (as it’s easier to maintain a safer distance) but will also allow you to provide more 1-1 time with clients and members, improving motivation and giving the people that you serve a better experience.
How to Develop Small Group Workout Ideas
If you’re not used to operating your classes in a small group you might be wondering how you could get started with this. Consider the classes that you already have and then half (or even quarter) the size of those classes. A small group could be as few as two or three people (offering a bespoke - and thus higher value class to your members).
Spend this time in isolation figuring out exactly what kinds of classes your members are looking for. Your unique fitness business will cater to a specific demographic - do you have women in their twenties interested in elongating muscles and toning up? Or men over the age of 50 interested in maintaining muscle and increasing strength? Of course, your offering to either would be very different. Run polls on your social media channels or reach out to clients and members individually to find out.
You should also consider the fact that many people will be looking forward to working out outside in the outdoors. After spending so much time cooped up, your classes will prove popular if they offer some element of nature. This could be anything from Box in a field to yoga in the park - assess your local area and of course, the government regulations that are in place after the pandemic is over.
Expand Your Digital Offering
It’s no doubt that social media , your website and perhaps your own branded personal app like those offered by Virtuagym are a real asset during the current crisis. When things go back to normal and the pandemic is over - take this as a lesson: find new ways to reach audiences.
During this time people are getting more used to working with online and digital tools to enhance their fitness regimes. When things are back to normal, the interest in digital workouts is likely to remain. In addition some people with concerns and anxieties over sickness may be too worried to return quickly to their normal lives even if the government has given it the okay. There are also those people that are now used to and enjoy the freedom of working out at home - these groups combined suggest the digital workout trend is bound to stay, at least for the coming year.
To ensure you continue to remain relevant as a business you should figure out a way to continue offering digital training methods alongside training inside your facility. This could mean holding weekly sessions on Instagram live - or it could mean using a much more personal method such as a virtual trainer and live-streaming service via your software provider (like the Virtuagym @Home bundle).
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Consider Additional Revenue Streams: PRO+
The current crisis has no doubt hit your income hard. All of us have been unable to operate as usual and this means you are probably missing out on some revenue. In order to make sure your business thrives when the pandemic is over, consider what additional ways you could add to your revenue streams. If you’re not already selling products via a webshop, consider how this would fit with your business and what gap you might be able to fill.
During the pandemic, many people have become used to using digital services that offer both training AND a nutrition programme. Think about the ways in which you can offer nutritional services (such as food tracking and coaching via an app) in order to introduce additional streams of revenue.
To summarise, making your business future-proof is an essential step to take now to ensure that you get quickly back on your feet after the coronavirus outbreak has ended. Introduce additional revenue streams, increase your digital offering and plan now, in order to maximise your chances of success.